{"product_id":"the-fifth-servant-a-novel-isbn-9780061725388","title":"The Fifth Servant: A Novel","description":"\u003cp\u003e“Whatever you are currently reading, I promise you it is not nearly as intelligent, witty, compelling, or entertaining as \u003cem\u003eThe Fifth Servant\u003c\/em\u003e….Wishnia makes history come alive.”\u003cbr\u003e — David Liss, author of \u003cem\u003eThe Devil's Company\u003c\/em\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA brilliantly imagined, beautifully written combination of scrupulously researched historical novel and riveting suspense thriller, Kenneth Wishnia’s \u003cem\u003eThe Fifth Servant \u003c\/em\u003ecarries readers back to 16\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century Prague in the shadow of the Papal Inquisition—and introduces a uniquely unforgettable protagonist, a young Talmudic scholar who has three days to solve a heinous murder before official reprisals decimate the city’s Jewish community. A richly atmospheric tale of religion, mystery, and intrigue, \u003cem\u003eThe Fifth Servant \u003c\/em\u003erecreates life in the era when Emperor Rudolph II occupied the throne—a time of uncertainty and fear viewed through the eyes of an intrepid rabbinical student on a quest for truth and justice.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003eIn 1592, Prague is a relatively safe refuge for Jews who live within the gated walls of its ghetto. But the peace is threatened when a young Christian girl is found with her throat slashed in a Jewish shop on the eve of Passover. Charged with blood libel, the shopkeeper and his family are arrested, and all that stands in the way of a rabid Christian mob is a clever Talmudic scholar, newly arrived from Poland, named Benyamin Ben-Akiva. Granted just three days to bring the true killer to justice—hampered by rabbinic law, with no allies or connections, and only his wits, knowledge, and faith to guide him—Benyamin sets off on a desperate search for answers. Following a twisting trail from the streets to the shul, from the forbidden back rooms of a ghetto brothel to the emperor Rudolf II's lavish palace, he will dare the impossible—and commit the unthinkable—to save the Jews of Prague . . . and himself.\u003c\/p\u003e | \u003cp\u003e“Wishnia plays interestingly with role-reversal: A young Christian woman converts to Judaism, while a young Jew must disguise himself as a Christian to infiltrate a cadre plotting to destroy the ghetto during a week holy to both Jews and Christians....Works nicely on at least three levels: as history, mystery and theology.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Powerful . . . A densely philosophical yet surprisingly witty historical mystery.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Well-developed characters and detailed portrayals of life at the time help make this historical crime thriller a gripping page-turner.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly (starred review)\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Think Sherlock Holmes with a dash of Woody Allen. Philip Roth and Stephen King. Mystery plus comedy. Detective novel meets Yiddish folk tale. Then add a little history and you have Kenneth Wishnia’s \u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Servant,\u003c\/i\u003e a smart funny page turner that I hated to see end.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Jewish Journal\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In his fiercely intelligent and entrancing novel, \u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Servant,\u003c\/i\u003e Kenneth Wishnia gives us a sixteenth-century Prague that is rich, labyrinthine, and utterly compelling.  Drawn in first by its soft wit, we soon find ourselves swept into a tale both intricate and haunting, its twists and turns carrying us breathlessly to the very last page.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eMegan Abbott, Edgar Award-winning author of Bury Me Deep and Queenpin\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“a compelling mystery” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eAlbuquerque Journal on THE FIFTH SERVANT\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“In another’s hands, the resulting novel might end up grim and pedantic, but Wishnia manages to turn the story into something Dickensian in its comic turns, richly drawn cast of characters, and plot twists.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eHistorical Novels Review on THE FIFTH SERVANT\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Whatever you are currently reading, I promise you it is not nearly as intelligent, witty, compelling or entertaining as \u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Servant \u003c\/i\u003eby Kenneth Wishnia....Wishnia makes history come alive.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eDavid Liss, author of The Devil's Company and The Whiskey Rebels\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The characters are distinct and thoughtfully created. The mystery and how it is unraveled make a compelling story.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eContra Costa Times on THE FIFTH SERVANT\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Servant\u003c\/i\u003e offers a unique blend of mystery and Talmud set against an intriguing historical background.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLinda Barnes, author of Lie Down with the Devil\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Servant\u003c\/i\u003e proves that academia, wit, and compelling mystery may all be found in one book.  And what a suspenseful, enthralling story this is—accessible and hugely entertaining, it is an astonishing novel.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eKen Bruen, author of Sanctuary\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“The richness of the setting of \u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Servant\u003c\/i\u003e is matched by the complexity and appeal of its characters.  With apparent ease Kenneth Wishnia makes solid and real the sounds, sights, and smells of a vanished and legendary time.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eS.J. Rozan, Edgar Award-winning author of The Shanghai Moon\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This fast-paced historical from Edgar nominee Wishnia (23 Shades of Black ) combines scholarly historical details that bring the 16th century alive with believable characters and a compelling mystery. Highly recommended for mystery lovers and fans of historical fiction. ” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal on THE FIFTH SERVANT\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA brilliantly imagined, beautifully written combination of scrupulously researched historical novel and riveting suspense thriller [with] a uniquely unforgettable protagonist. A richly atmospheric tale of religion, mystery, and intrigue.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eI Love a Mystery\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“\u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Servant\u003c\/i\u003e suceeds at its goal: to keep you turning pages, and, when you’re finished, wanting more.” - \u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eForward\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"William Morrow Paperbacks","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44887892787429,"sku":"NP9780061725388","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780061725388.jpg?v=1730227678","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/the-fifth-servant-a-novel-isbn-9780061725388","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}